OFFICIAL: Barcelona, Girona and La Liga request permission for Miami fixture

  /  autty

Barcelona, Girona and La Liga (LFP) have put forward a request to the Spanish FA (RFEF) that they might play a fixture in Miami, Florida later this season.

In a statement issued by the LFP, Girona's 'home' match against the Catalans could be switched to the Hard Rock Stadium on January 26 with a 20:45CET kick-off time.

The news comes after last month's announcement that La Liga had made a deal with multinational media, sports and entertainment company Relevent that will last 15 years and boost the competition in North America and see a Spanish top-flight match played in the United States for the first time.

The development has been met with a lot of criticism, including from RFEF president Luis Rubiales and Spanish players' union (AFE) leader David Aganzo, who said the reaction to the idea was of unanimous outrage and that clubs were considering going on strike.

However, Girona revealed this week that they would accept the proposal to play against the Catalan giants in the United States as it presents "a great possibility of expansion and growth".

And Girona president Delfi Geli has joined his Barcelona and La Liga counterparts, Josep Maria Bartomeu and Javier Tebas, in signing a letter addressed to RFEF to grant permission.

One of the issues concerning the proposal surrounds compensation for local fans and season ticket holders who will miss out on the game. However, Aficiones Unidas (AFEPE), which works with clubs and the association to promote fairness in football, has approved Barca and Girona's plans to compensate supporters.

Related: Barcelona Girona
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